WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1924, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

QUESTIONABLE BANKRUPTCIES.

(Special to “Guardian”.) WED RING TON’, Xovomhor 10. During the past three years many hundreds of bankruptcies have been registered in the Dominion, and while the greater percentage of these have been fa liners or those connected with farming pursuits there have been quite a number of traders, and some of the bankruptcies have been peculiar in their character and called for investigation. A correspondent while admitting that traders bear a good repute generally, considers that there is a certain aspect of our commercial life which requires serious consideration, lie then goes oil to say, “I allude to facility with which bankrupts whose downfall cannot he n.tiribiited to. misfortune, evade their responsibilities, and escape the punishment which is due to them for their misdc-cds. Not many months age an inquiry was held at the Official Assignee’s office into a bankrupt’s affiairs, and the meeting was of a decidedly stormy character, and tlicre was some very plain speaking. No hooks or records had apparently bene kept by the bankrupt, and everything pointed to a hopeless tangle and to lansaetions which, if investigated. would have proved that mnlters were not above hoard. It was clearlv a ease for close investigation in the interests not only of the creditors concerned, hut a.s a. warning to other muddlers if the investigation disclosed wrong-doing. But what happened.As the creditors had apparently lost tlmir money, and as there was little or no chance of getting hack even a small portion of it-, the matter ended there and the bankrupt, who in my opinion will not get it discharge in a

(Teatinn of cals, is now said to he moving in church circles. I maintain that in a case of this kind tin- Ollicial Assignee should he empowered, il ho has not already got the required authority, to take the matter in hand, and probe it to Du- very bottom without fear or favour. It may he remarked that among the legal fraternity action is taken by the Law Society when a solicitor oversteps the mark, and why should something similar not he done when there is an unscrupulous trader in our midst ?

STUDENTS’ SOCIAL SERVICE

Some four months ago the students of Victoria University College formed a “ Social Service Club” and one of their first efforts was to raise funds for the students of universities in Europe who were hard pressed. This they did not do by giving concerts or holding jumble sales, or following Die usual routine of money raising schemes, hut hv working on Saturdays at gardening, hedge-cutting and other similar jobs, and the women' students also undertook work of a suit able character, lint tlieir elloris did not cease with this. Ever since the Social Set vice C lull was In:till'd a natty ol students lias visited the I’orirua Mental Hospital every Saturday afternoon, carrying out tt comprehensive scheme of ser-

vice :tt that institution, visiting patients selected by those in charge at instil ution, who have no relatives, no fiicuds, and who possess no estate., and bringing a. little happiness into I heir lives by providing litem with a few luxuries in tin* way ol iruil. It fec-tiouery, literature and tobaeio. It is stated that if the necessary supplies can lie maintained plenty ol students are willing to carry in the work iudeliuitelv. ’lie- organiser oi the Club Alt I. \V. Davids.-u. in a letter t i the press dire. I s at! eat ien to a i cry patbelie iase. Il is that of it little girl t had no parents and is al present in the Mental Hospital at I’orirua. Sic is six years i 1 age. is receiving mi edii(alii:t, and while in the hospital cannot receive any with the limited means available, end is being brought up in I (|o a . it ion of it In I d-lcctii e.. If i . clcai Dial Dm- is -ah inn lit:'l. hut tl t - cquall\ ih ai Dial in the Land of an experienced teacher she i- ' apahle i 1 being educated to he a ilseltt! citizen and have an interest ill lile. Tin- institntiltioM will release her il someone will take proper care ot the girl and the Social Service ( lull is anxious In hear i f some kind person, "f sum.- i rgaiiisat-ion, prepan-d to make a sacrifice which will result in making the child’s future a little happier than it would otlicrw ise la-. DAIRY DIVISION SALARIES. All' J. I’efi Ison ol tin- New Zealand Dairv Division who has accepted Deposition of dairy expert to the Argentine Doveruim-nt at a farewell llincl.inn

in his honour at Palmerston North, stated that In- considered that New Zealand had the lies! organised and most ellieieiiL dairy division in the world, and its ollicers were also the lowest salaried in the world. These sentiments are cordially endorsed by those interested in the trade, hut those not so eloselv connected with the industry are not so willing to accept the verdict as expressed above, and want to know why the dairy tanners do not see that soiivthing is done in this direeti.n. The dairy industry lias been spoon-fed lor many years, indeed practically I mill its inception and it is thought that it is now time the industrv relied more on itself and less on the Consolidated Fund. Il is pointed out that the frozen meat industry received no such assistance from the State, and when it became necessary to appoint veterinary inspectors at the various works the companies had to tiiul the amount of the salaries ol the various inspectors, although the Government made the selection. The freezing companies are also paying dearly for the Meat Control Hoard.